House Panel Passes Bill to Abolish Corrections Board

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Oklahoma House committee has approved legislation to abolish the state Board of Corrections and hand its duties over to the agency's director.

The House Government Modernization Committee voted 8-0 for the bill Thursday and sent it to the full House for a vote.

Currently, the seven-member Board of Corrections sets corrections policy for the state and appoints a director. Its members are chosen by the governor.

Under the bill, the corrections director would to be supervised by the governor's public safety secretary.

The measure's author Representative Tom Newell of Seminole says he believes having the director supervised by the governor's office is a more efficient way to manage corrections policies. Newell says it is difficult for the Legislature to hold the board accountable.